Are you prone to allergies but are wondering if a Wirehaired Pointing Griffon is a good fit in your home? No worries, we’ve got you covered in this article!
Here, we’ll provide you with all the details of whether or not Wirehaired Pointing Griffons are hypoallergenic, and why this may be the case.
Wirehaired Pointing Griffons are a happy and loving dog breed, they’re purebred dogs that are bright, affectionate and playful. They like having plenty of space to exercise and don’t enjoy being cooped up in an apartment for hours on end. Originally sporting dogs, this breed originated near the end of the 19th century and was often used for hunting.
Read on to find out more!
Are Wirehaired Pointing Griffons Hypoallergenic?
Yes, Wirehaired Pointing Griffons are a hypoallergenic breed! Although they’ve got both an outer and undercoat, and may seem like a shaggy dog, they are hypoallergenic.
The main reasons why Wirehaired Pointing Griffons are hypoallergenic include the following:
- They shed very little
- Produce minimal amount of dander
- Minimal to low levels of drooling
You will, however, need to groom your Wirehaired Pointing Griffon properly. With proper grooming, it’s highly likely that your Wirehaired Pointing Griffon won’t affect both breathing allergies and skin reactions.
Read on to find out why this is the case!
How to Decide if a Wirehaired Pointing Griffon is Hypoallergenic to You
While there are hundreds of different dog breeds out there, some are more prone to triggering allergies than others. The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon however, isn’t in that category. Our ratings of the likelihood of causing skin allergies and breathing allergies are:
For those that are prone to breathing allergies, shedding tends to be the main trigger while those with skin allergies have a few other things they’d need to consider. Below, we’ll talk about all of this in greater detail, and how Wirehaired Pointing Griffons can be a safer option for people with skin allergies also.
Does the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Shed a Lot?
No, they shed very little.
While Wirehaired Pointing Griffons shed minimally, they do shed a little more during certain seasons. They’ve got an undercoat that’s thick and downy with a topcoat that’s thick and harsh. To remove loose hairs and minimise shedding, brushing your Wirehaired Pointing Griffon every week can help with removing loose hairs.
How a Wirehaired Griffon’s Size Affects Allergies
The Wirehaired Griffon is a medium-sized dog but since they don’t produce much dander or allergy-inducing proteins, they’re considered a hypoallergenic breed.
Usually, the bigger the surface area of the dog, the greater the amount of dander released into the air. With this breed however, they shed minimally so there’s a lower chance of them spreading any hair or allergens around the home.
Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Drooling and Dander Levels
If you’re an allergy sufferer with skin reactions, the two main triggers are either dander or proteins from the drool.
With the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon, both of these are minimal to none.
Most Wirehaired Pointing Griffons are allergy-friendly dog breeds as they produce minimal to no dander. If you’re not a fan of slobber or drool, you’d be glad to know that Wirehaired Pointing Griffons have low drooling tendencies.
Read on to find out the best way to take care of this active breed.
Grooming and Coat Maintenance
There’s a moderate amount of effort needed when it comes to taking care of your Wirehaired Pointing Griffon.
Their coats require regular grooming maintenance, and weekly brushing is necessary to remove any old hairs. While it is dependent on the shedding cycle, you should try and get them groomed every 4-8 weeks. Nails should also be clipped, ears cleaned, and the undercoat removed during the spring.
In terms of bathing your Wirehaired Pointing Griffon, you should bathe them frequently, especially if they’re always running around outside. Even so, washing should be limited to once every 4 to 6 weeks. With Wirehaired Pointing Griffons, they require two baths – the first is a general bath, while the second one is targeted to the specific needs of your dog.
Here are some items that we recommend you to use when bathing your dog:
Vet’s Best Hypo-Allergenic Shampoo for Dogs
This hypoallergenic shampoo is great for sensitive skin and is both gentle and soap-free. There are natural ingredients within the shampoo from aloe vera and vitamin E, and can help with relieving any itches.
Top Paw Oatmeal Baking Soda Dog Shampoo
This oatmeal baking soda dog shampoo is gentle on the skin and will leave your pup feeling fresh and clean. It also helps in reducing shedding, and will help with both soothing and moisturizing.
Espree Plum Perfect Cream Rinse
A great conditioner for your dog is this Espree Plum Perfect Cream Rinse. It’s a richly fragrant conditioner that will provide both body and shine. It’ll also help with whitening the coat, and is made with 100% organic aloe vera.
Another conditioner on the list, this Espree Rainforest Conditioner will give your pup a thorough clean, while also adding body and shine to the coat.
Ready to Get a Wirehaired Pointing Griffon? Here Are Some Tips for Reducing Allergies
Even though this is a hypoallergenic breed, no dog is ever 100% allergy-free. To help with reducing any allergies, we’ve curated some tips on how you can keep your space as free from allergens as possible so you and your pup can live happily together.
Tip 1: Training
Start by training your pup to respect certain boundaries and not enter spaces such as your bedroom. With Wirehaired Pointing Griffons, they’re moderately easy to train. As they’re an independent breed, they can have a mind of their own. Firmness and consistency is needed when it comes to training them along with treats and vocal praises when they’ve completed a task.
Tip 2: Fortify Your Home
Fortifying your home can also help with reducing the amount of dander within your space.
Here are some items and appliances that you can get to help keep the allergies at bay:
- Air filter + purifier for pets
- Lint removers for furniture
- Textiles your dog comes into contact with are best to be machine washable
- A vacuum with a HEPA filter
- Gloves and a mask for cleaning
- Most importantly, have some allergy medication with you just in case!
